Lowell Gardner Brannon, Jr., 89, of Galax, passed away at his home on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

He was born in Winchester, VA on March 25, 1933 to the late Lowell G. Brannon, Sr. and Anna Mae Brannon.  He is survived by his son, William G. Brannon of Galax, and his daughter and son-in-law Sandra and David Voroyka of Galax, as well as seven grandchildren, Sarah  Lopez (Yoan), Morgan Kane (Stevan);  and Aaron, Madison, Elizabeth, Zayden, and Aliyah Voroyka; and four great-grandchildren, Cayden, Ella, and Navy Lopez; and Ingrid Kane.  He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, William and Barbara Brannon of Longs, SC.  Mr. Brannon was preceded in death by his wife of over fifty-one years, Mary Ella, as well as one brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Suzanne Brannon.

Mr. Brannon was in the first graduating class of James Wood High School in Winchester, VA in 1951, where he also served as class president.  He held a bachelor of science degree in business

administration (public administration option) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1955, where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets.  Following college, he served as an officer in the United States Air Force.  While serving, he was Instructor Director and Chief Director of the 638 ^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, a part of the Air Defense Command.  He served on active duty from 1955 to 1958, and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain.  Mr. Brannon also received the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Following his discharge, he worked with Esso, now ExxonMobil until 1973.   Afterwards, he worked for Mutual of New York, then McKnight Oil Company in Galax.  He retired in 1988.  Gardner was a highly intelligent man with a lot of commonsense and respected by many.

The family will receive friends from 1PM to 2PM, Saturday, July 2, 2022  with the service to follow at 2PM at the First Baptist Church in Galax with Dr. Kevin Rosenfeld officiating.  Interment will follow in Felts Cemetery in Galax.

In lieu of flowers, you can make contributions to the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets ( give.to.vt@vt.edu ) or to the First Baptist Church of Galax, 1024 East Stuart Drive, Galax, VA 24333.